What is the difference between Level I and Level II advanced courses?

The advanced German literature courses are divided into two levels. We expect students to take at least two literature courses at Level One (I) before proceeding to Level Two (II). If you are in any doubt which course you should take, please consult the Chairperson of the Department. All courses are conducted in German.

Level I courses are intended for students who have recently completed GERMN 202 or 203 and who only have limited experience in discussing German literature in German, orally and in writing. They are not intended for native speakers.

Level II courses are intended for advanced students who have taken a number of 300 level German language and literature courses and who may be interested in going on to use the German language professionally. They are thus meant to help students move to the highest level of the undergraduate program and beyond. Students enrolled in Level II courses have the opportunity to take the Goethe exams B2 and C1, the professional certificates of advanced language competence administered by the Goethe Institute. The exams are given each spring, and a fee set by the outside agency will be charged.

Course Descriptions

GERMN 101: Elementary German I

This course is for students without prior knowledge of German. It focuses on the basic linguistic and cultural abilities needed to function in German-speaking countries. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.Exam Format: written quizzes, midterm and final examsTextbook: Access to German: Jägerbuch I, ISBN 0-07-285376-x

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

GERMN 102: Elementary German II

This course continues the work of GERMN 101. It broadens linguistic and cultural abilities for basic communication in a German-speaking environment. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.Exam Format: written quizzes, midterm and final examsTextbook:Access to German: Jägerbuch II, ISBN 0-07-3019364

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

GERMN 103: Intensive Elementary German I & II

This course is intended for students with no prior knowledge of German. It covers in ONE semester the material normally covered in two semesters, in GERMN 101 - 102. It focuses on the basic linguistic and cultural abilities needed to function in German-speaking countries. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.Exam Format: written quizzes, midterm and final examsTextbook:Access to German: Jägerbuch I and II, ISBN 0-07-285376-x and ISBN 0-07-3019364

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

GERMN 201: Intermediate German I

This course is the third in a four-semester sequence and continues the linguistic and cultural introduction to German. Review and practice of elementary grammar; introduction of advanced forms. Reading and discussion of selected texts. The instructor will emphasize active student participation (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Regular attendance and daily homework are necessary to succeed in this course.Exam Format: written quizzes, midterm and final examsTextbook:Access to German: Jägerbuch III, ISBN 0-07-24397-8

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

GERMN 202: Intermediate German II

Continued broadening of abilities in speaking, listening, reading, writing. Reading and discussion of selected literary texts. Strong emphasis on active student participation. Regular attendance and daily homework are important elements in this course. Completion of this course fulfills the Hunter College foreign language requirement. Students at this level will normally be tested by both written and oral examination.Exam Format: written quizzes, midterm and final examsTextbook:Access to German: Jägerbuch III, ISBN 0-07-24397-8, Additional handouts.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

GERMN 203: Intensive Intermediate German I & II

This course covers in ONE semester the material normally covered in TWO semesters, in GERMN 201 and GERMN 202. Instruction in the four basic skills is continued. Advanced grammatical forms are introduced. Selected literary texts are read and discussed. The class involves a considerable investment of time. Please consult the Chair of the Department for further advice about this accelerated course.Exam Format: written quizzes, midterm and final examsTextbook:Access to German: Jägerbuch III, ISBN 0-07-24397-8, Additional handouts.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

GERMN 302: Advanced German Conversation & Composition

The course is designed to develop the conversational and compositional skills. There will be intensive practice of contemporary spoken and written German with emphasis on vocabulary and idiom, and on active mastery of grammatical forms. Audio material will be used to strengthen comprehension skills. Regular preparation in writing is required for group work and class dialogues. The course prepares the students to take the examination for the Zertifikat Deutsch, the professional certificate of basic language competence administered by the Goethe Institute. Fees charged by the Goethe Institute will be announced to students at the beginning of the term.Exam Format: written quizzes, midterm and final examinationsTextbook:Themen neu Zertifikatsband, ISBN 3-19-301523-7

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

GERMN 322: German Civilization

This course is intended for students who have recently completed German 202 or 203 and is not intended for native speakers of German. Introduction to key topics in Germany history, culture, art, and politics. You will practice writing and speaking in this class through many short essays and a class project on a famous person who spoke or speaks German. We will begin our survey of German culture with a geographical unit showing the landscapes of present-day Germany and then we will look at how Germany was situated in Europe through the centuries. We will proceed historically and read a number of short texts taken from various periods in German history; these will be handed out in class. While we begin our survey at the time when the Germanic tribes entered into history, we will concentrate our treatment of earlier history on those elements that are generally known to present-day Germans so that you will have a better frame of reference for communicating with them. We will then spend most of our energy on enduring aspects of German civilization in modern times.Texts: You will be given extensive hand-out material. We will use a text book if I can find one at an afforable price. Course requirements: Regular attendance and participation are a necessity for this class. There will be weekly short essays in German (which have to be corrected) as well as a mid-term and a final.

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

GERMN 353:Goethe's Faust

Goethe's re-creation of the Faust-myth remains one of the greatest achievements of world literature. Goethe worked intermittently on Faust throughout most of his active literary life spanning 60 years. Thus, Faust shows the impetuousness of youth as well as the wisdom of old age. In spite of its depth, Faust entertaining and often very funny. This course will elucidate the Faust tradition by reading a puppet play of the type Goethe watched in his childhood and also relate Faust to Goethe's life and thought. We shall closely read most of Faust Part I and selected sections of Faust Part II. The course will be conducted in German.Any German edition of Faust will be acceptable, but be sure that the lines are numbered. We will take book orders for the class during the first session, but you are free to buy your own. The cheapest price within the United States is usually available from IBIS (International Book Import Service; http://www.ibiservice.com).Course Requirements: Attendance is taken and class participation will be required. Students have to produce 12-14 full pages of written papers (in German), which will need to corrected before a grade is given. Depending on student interest and ability, these may be several shorter papers or one or two longer ones. There will also be midterm and final examinations.Textbooks: REclam edition Faust I: ISBN: 978-3-15-000001-4 and Faust II: ISBN: 978-3-15-000002-1

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.

GERMN 241 German Fairy Tales "W"

Fairy tales are known all over the world. The most famous European book of fairy tales is the one collected by the Brothers Grimm. These stories have entered our collective unconscious but are not easily explained. We shall look at various attempts at explaining what fairy tales are all about, look at older stories that served as models for the Brothers Grimm and study modern versions of the tales including a Walt Disney movie and "politically correct fairy tales." Students will read fairy tales, tell one that they know, and write three short papers, a midterm and final examination. All readings, discussions and written work will be in English. This course has a "W" designation. Textbooks: Jack Zipes, The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, ISBN 978-0553382167 Joanna Cole, The Best-Loved Foktales of the World, ISBN 978-0318796482 Exam Format: written midterm and final exams

Note: If you have previous knowledge of German, please contact the department for advice and placement before registering for classes.